snakeroot
snakeroot Lexical Profile
snakeroot Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Any of various perennial North American woodland flowering plants, especially white snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) in the daisy family (Asteraceae) or black cohosh (Actaea racemosa), cultivated for their clusters of small, feathery white or cream blossoms and historically used in folk medicine as a remedy for snakebites.
"Clusters of white snakeroot bloomed across the shaded forest floor in late summer."
Any of several unrelated herbaceous plants having twisted, serpent-like roots formerly reputed to cure snakebites, such as Virginia snakeroot (Aristolochia serpentaria), Seneca snakeroot (Polygala senega), or Indian snakeroot (Rauvolfia serpentina).
"Early colonial herbalists gathered the aromatic roots of Virginia snakeroot to prepare medicinal tonics."
The dried rhizome or root of any of these plants, used in traditional herbalism or as a source of pharmaceutical alkaloids.
"The apothecary stocked dried snakeroot alongside other traditional botanical remedies."
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed as an English compound of 'snake' and 'root', recorded since the early 17th century from the folk belief that the gnarled, serpentine roots of these plants served as an antidote for venomous snakebites.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.